Page 53 of Temptation
“We can’t know that it’s the same person yet,” Sloane said. Because they could not. However, they also could not ignore the obvious timeline connection. “I haven’t had any attacks on my life lately, until last night.” She waved toward Preston. “You and I get buried alive, we escape, and then someone takes shots at us all within a twenty-four-hour period. Pretty sure we have to say those two attacks are connected.” Connected did not mean the same perp. It doesn’t mean that yet.
But, what the whole twisted situation did mean…
There are targets on me and Preston. Anyone near us could get caught in the crossfire. Which meant…Danger. Lily can’t be around me. I won’t let Lily be hurt.
When it came to the people in her life that Sloane cared about, Lily was at the top of her list.
Lily had always said she was grateful for Sloane’s friendship because, well, Lily swore she’d never had a friend until Sloane. When your mother was a notorious serial killer, people did tend to avoid you.
But Sloane hadn’t avoided Lily. Instead, she’d deliberately sought her out in college. Just as she’d deliberately put herself in Preston’s world.
Both times, she’d had a compelling reason for getting close.
“You’re leaving the area,” she told Lily, very, very definitely. “I’m staying with Preston. He and I will pull in guards. We’ll take whatever precautions are necessary. And we will hunt the bastard.” There. Done. She slanted a glance at Atlas. “I’d love to talk with Lily alone for a moment, please.”
“Fine. I’d love to talk to the wannabe member of our group alone, too.” But Atlas bent and pressed a kiss to Lily’s cheek. His hand feathered over her stomach. “Nothing bad happens to any of you.” A stark promise. Then he stalked toward Preston. “Come on, asshole. We need to clear the air.”
She waited until the door closed behind the two men. Then…
A wide smile curled Sloane’s lips. “Twins? You’re having twins?” She squealed and ran forward to hug her friend. “I am so stinking excited for you!”
Lily hugged her back. “I’m not leaving you,” she whispered.
Sloane pulled back. “Are you my best friend in the entire world? My ride or die?”
Lily nodded. Serious, somber Lily.
“Then you are leaving.” Because you will not die. “I will not have you hurt.” But Lily had already been hurt. Sloane could see the bandage on her arm. “You are getting out of here. You’re going to let Atlas spirit you away to some place super fancy and decadent.”
“I’m not the type to run away when a friend needs me. You need me now.”
No, Lily didn’t run. She fought. Sloane wanted to be more like her. Instead…
Sloane had always been a planner. A plotter. A…manipulator. She smiled even brighter. “I have brand new protection in the form of Preston Byron. He is going to be my human shield.” Okay, he had not promised to be a human shield, and she certainly did not expect him to be but…
“Why him, Sloane?” Still no smiles from Lily. Her smiles were always too rare. Atlas fought viciously for every single one he could get.
“What do you mean? Why did the perp take him again?” Lily was so good at profiling. Sloane was surprised her friend had even asked the question.
Lily shook her head. “Why are you so focused on Preston?”
Ah. Right. Lily was good at profiling. And at seeing through the bullshit.
“What’s your goal?” Lily pressed her.
“My first goal is getting you to safety.” Priority one. “I can fight this battle without you.”
Lily didn’t even blink. “Why Preston Byron?”
“Why did you get so focused on Atlas Bennett? What was it about him that made you go all in?”
“Atlas is my soulmate.”
Sloane laughed, but the sound was strained to her own ears. “You don’t believe in those.”
Lily stared back at her. Serious, intent Lily. Finally, she said, “He understands me completely. There is nothing he would not do for me.”
Huh. Was that a soulmate? Interesting. “I have plans for Preston Byron.”
